ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Thursday reelected Masoud Barzani as the party’s president, with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani reappointed as his first deputy, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani elected as his second deputy.
The 14th KDP congress commenced in the city of Duhok on Thursday, and is set to continue for the next two days. It is the first time the KDP has held a congress since December 2010, the longest the party has ever gone without holding the meeting.
“On this occasion, I congratulate all members and supporters of the KDP and the people of Kurdistan,” read a statement from the party’s leader earlier in the day, adding that he hopes “the results and tasks of the 14th KDP congress serve the high interest of our people.”
KDP bylaws state that a congress should be held once every four years - though this interval has not once been adhered to since the party's foundation.
Masoud Barzani said that no matter what position he holds, he will stay as a Peshmerga for good.
"I am not among those people who desire to stay as presidents or officials until they die. I wish there was an atmosphere in the [Kurdistan] Region and the region that could allow me to ask you to give me permission [to quit]. Every beginning has an ending," he noted.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, KDP officials said a congress would be held by the end of 2020 but the plans were put on hold due to the global pandemic.
The KDP is the Kurdistan Region's largest party, holding 45 seats in the Region’s parliament, and top government positions, including president, prime minister and deputy parliament speaker.
The party also has the largest parliamentary bloc of the Kurdish component in the Iraqi parliament with 31 seats. It currently holds the post of Iraq’s foreign minister in PM Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s cabinet, and is expected to get at least one more ministry in the upcoming weeks.
He also said that women should be given practical role in the KDP.
"I am very glad to see that women participation in the 14th congress has grown but this should be reflected in the KDP's work. The KDP should pave the way for women to have more participation in the government," he said.
Updated at 10:17pm
